Kamala Harris’ campaign is sending her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, on a media blitz aimed at attracting male voters, particularly young men. This push comes as the campaign seeks to close the polling gap with men, while Harris continues to lead among women voters.
Harris Campaign Sends Tim Walz to Rally Male Voters
Kamala Harris’ campaign, facing a polling deficit among men, is dispatching her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, to spearhead a media campaign aimed at male voters. Walz’s relatable persona and folksy charm will be central to this effort, as the Harris team seeks to win over young men and blue-collar voters.
Walz’s media blitz will feature a series of high-visibility appearances, including an interview with former NFL player Michael Strahan, pheasant hunting with influencers, and addressing his former high school football team.
Football, Hunting, and Relatability
Walz’s man-focused tour will kick off with a one-on-one interview with ABC’s Michael Strahan at the University of Minnesota football stadium. The interview will touch on Walz’s background as a football coach and how it prepared him for his political career.
In addition, Walz is scheduled to make appearances in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, discussing football and hunting in an attempt to connect with male voters in these critical regions. On Friday, he will headline a voter engagement event aimed at Black men in Michigan, before returning to Minnesota to deliver a pep talk to his former high school football team.
Harris Campaign Shifts Strategy to Win Over Men
While Harris has made strong gains with women voters, particularly Independents, her campaign has struggled to connect with male voters. Polls show that Trump holds a significant lead among men, making it critical for Harris’ campaign to shift focus.
Walz, who was brought onto the ticket in part due to his ability to connect with blue-collar and male voters, has not yet been able to close the gap. This effort marks an intensified push by the Harris campaign to address this challenge, with Walz’s folksy and relatable image being put front and center.
Challenges in Connecting with Blue-Collar Men
Despite his strong ties to labor, Walz’s ability to connect with blue-collar voters has not yet fully materialized. In an unexpected blow to the Harris campaign, the International Association of Fire Fighters recently declined to endorse either Harris or Trump. This shows the difficulty in securing the male vote, especially in sectors traditionally influenced by labor movements.
Harris’ popularity continues to rise among women, but the campaign must work hard to close the polling gap with men, where Trump has maintained a strong lead.
A Coordinated Media Push
Both Harris and Walz have ramped up their media appearances in recent days. Walz appeared on Fox News’ Sunday show, had a segment with ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, and appeared alongside Harris in a “60 Minutes” interview. The Harris team is determined to increase media exposure in an effort to sway undecided male voters.
As part of this push, Walz is set to take social media influencers, including veterans advocate David Boomer and Black rodeo star Ramontay McConnell, pheasant hunting in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, this Saturday. The Harris campaign hopes these events will help connect with male voters in a more relatable and casual setting.
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